The Reds are currently playing with a four-man bench, carrying an extra reliever in the bullpen. Because of that, Reds manager Bryan Price has discussed with starter Mike Leake to be ready as a fifth bench player.

Leake obviously can't fill that role when he is starting and Price said he didn't want to disrupt his usual routine the day before a start, but in the other three of five days, he's on alert to either pinch-hit or pinch-run if needed.

"He's an early burn pinch-hitter, a guy that can pinch-run, he can get a bunt down for us if we don't want to burn (Ramon) Santiago or someone else early in the game," Price said.

HANNAHAN IMPROVING: Price said he's optimistic he could get third baseman Jack Hannahan back at some point this season. Hannahan's been on the disabled list all season after offseason shoulder surgery.

Hannahan's had several starts and stops in his recovery, but Price said he started hitting again before the recent 10-day road trip and then throwing while the Reds were away.

"We're getting much better reports on him and his recovery," Price said. "I would hope that he would be a guy that at some point in time down the stretch he would be able to help us. I'm hoping that, I don't know that."